Industrial civilizations of the world have collapsed and a version of Europe’s dark ages prevails. Duncan leaves home to see the Pacific Ocean. West from Denver, he stops at Green River, WY to trade for salt and encounters man's inhumanity to man. Helping his new friends deal with Blackburn, and The-man-with-no-name transforms him to a hardened, fast acting man capable of killing without remorse.

Talon, a Union Civil War veteran, comes to Fort Gibson, a Confederate town, looking for John Kelly...a man he's never meant. He is told his kind are not welcome, and he will not receive help in his quest. Despite the town's feelings, Talon becomes friends with Doc Benson; the towns only doctor. With Doc's help, Talon thwarts Paul Tidwell's plan to keep secret John Kelly's whereabouts.